That's So Kiwi

Having been in New Zealand for over a month now, I figured it was about time to compile a short list of observations I've made about the Kiwi culture. Here goes:

Hokey Pokey Ice Cream: You may not have to put your left foot in and shake it all about, but Hokey Pokey Ice Cream is definitely what it’s all about! Hokey Pokey, a chocolate-covered-honey-comb-candy, only gets better when surrounded by the creamiest, fattiest, silkiest, hokey pokey flavored ice cream imaginable. While there are many brands of this tasty treat, by far the best kind is Tip Top, which, perhaps unsurprisingly, was not only the original New Zealand ice creamery, but also the creator of Hokey Pokey ice cream.

Having really large cutouts at the entrance of town: This is especially popular in the Central North Island. A Lemon&Paeroa bottle, a carrot, a paint pallet, a trout, whatever the city is known for greets you at the border in a larger-than-life size. My personal favorite? The gumboot in Taihape.

Walking around Barefoot: The grocery store, the gas station, public toilets, city streets, it seems that shoes are in fact optional in all of these places! Slightly bizarre to me, but hey, so long as I can still wear my jandals (flip-flops) it makes no difference to me.

Driving 120km on super narrow roads: First off, most roads here in New Zealand are single lane roads that sharply curve around mountain after mountain under the guise of two-lane State roads. Second, Kiwi drivers are speed demons, taking the hills and curves at a minimum of 110km. Poor old Freda hated going up hill and often refused to exceed 60km, much to the displeasure of surrounding drivers. I can’t even count the number of screams of terror that escaped my mouth when freight trucks came barreling around the corner destined to hit our little car!

Despising Auckland: No joke, everybody hates Auckland unless s/he lives there. It’s so strange, the rage and blunt disgust people have for that place. The funny thing is, at least on the North Island, Auckland most resembles every other city I’ve been to in America and England, so what must the Kiwis’ think of the world when they leave the Island?!

Sweet as…: This lovely little phrase is hugely popular with the Kiwis, and the closest American phrase I can think of is “cool,” (which, ironically, isn’t nearly as cool as sweet as!). But it also can mean “no worries” or “awesome” or “the best” etc, etc, etc, and if you’re like my super-fit and quirkily-charming caving guide, you find it necessary to utter “sweet as” every fifth word.

Saying heaps….well, heaps: Another favorite word for New Zealanders. I’m sure it’s just because it’s not a part of my American English vocabulary, but I find “heaps” way more positive a word than “loads;” it’s lighter and somehow sounds more optimistic.

Honey Honey Honey: Yes, New Zealanders love their honey and in fact are rather famous for it. Manuka honey is quite popular here (see flowers to left), but the options are endless. I passed numerous honey stands during my road trip, each place decked out in honeybee festiveness.